Saints News

Fox after Wales revenge

SAINTS defender Danny Fox is hoping to complete his international rehabilitation when Scotland travel to Wales in their World Cup qualifier in October.

The 26-year-old Southampton left-back made his Scotland debut against the Welsh in a challenge match three years ago but, along with manager George Burley,
he was one of the casualties following a demoralising 3-0 defeat in Cardiff.

Fox’s international exile was ended when he was somewhat unexpectedly brought back into the team by Craig Levein for the 3-1 friendly win over Australia at Easter Road on Wednesday night, and he is
desperate to make the most of his second chance.

Wales are in Scotland’s 2014 World Cup qualifying group, and while the Scots’ campaign starts in September in a double-header against Serbia and Macedonia at Hampden, the former Celtic and Burnley
defender is looking to make amends for his Welsh nightmare the following month when Levein’s side return to Cardiff.

“Yes, you could say that,” he said. “It was a bit of an unfortunate experience, going from a high to an unbelievable low in the space of 90 minutes.

“We were 3-0 down after 45 minutes, I think, and unfortunately George lost his job after the game.

“So it would be nice to get one over them in a qualifier.

“It’s been a long time coming but I enjoyed my return. You never say never but I put it (international football) to the back of my mind.

“Then I got the phone call two or three weeks ago saying I was in the squad.

“It was just good to be back and I want to be part of it for a long time.”

Fox did more than enough in his Scotland return to secure a place in Levein’s squad for next month.

After Mark Bresciano had scored a wonder goal for the Socceroos with a dipping volley from 25 yards, the Saints defender set up Jordan Rhodes for the leveller with a fine cross.

After the break another cross by Fox was headed into his own net by Socceroos debutant Jason Davidson before substitute Ross McCormack scored a third.

Fox, a former England Under-21 international who qualifies for Scotland through his grandfather, said: “I thought we played very well against Australia. Obviously we went 1-0 down to an
unbelievable goal, I don’t think the boy will have scored a better goal than that the rest of his life.

“But Jordan’s movement is top drawer, he is a predator in the box and he scored a great header.

“The second one was a bit fortunate, it was an over-hit cross, I was looking for Charlie Adam but luckily for us the lad headed it into his own goal.”